Institute of Preclinical Sciences

Work

The Institute of Preclinical Sciences carries out pedagogical, scientific research and professional/operational activity in the fields of veterinary morphology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and toxicology.

The staff of the Institute of Preclinical Sciences carry out pedagogical work as part of undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes at the Veterinary and Biotechnical Faculties of the University of Ljubljana. The research work covers studies of physiological processes and effects of biologically active substances, investigating brain function, developing methods for characterisation of proteins, introducing methods of stem cell treatment, identifying the physiological characteristics of Slovenian indigenous breeds of domestic animals, and conducting morphological, genetic and endocrinological studies. Within the scope of expert/operative work, the institute prepares anatomical preparations, performs genotyping of animals, determines genetic susceptibility to diseases, and performs acute and chronic toxicity tests on chemicals.

Services

Department of Physiology and Pathological Physiology

Determination of hormones

Measurement of hormone concentrations using the EIA method:

in the blood and body fluids of animals

in the extracts of excrement, hair and feathers of animals

Study of the effects of biologically active substances

Electrophysiological and imaging methods:

determination of the effects of biologically active substances of plant, microbial and animal origin and their synthetic derivatives at molecular, cellular, tissue and organic levels, as well as whole mammalian organisms

assessment and evaluation of pathophysiological, pharmacological and toxicological effects and mechanisms of action of biologically active substances

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Study of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Within the scope of research and professional/operational work the institute carries out:

pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in laboratory animals and target species

drug testing

determining the pharmacological properties of potential medicines

Determination of toxicity

Drug and chemical toxicity tests are carried out in accordance with OECD guidelines:

acute toxicity assessment and LD50 determination

chronic toxicity assessment and NOAEL determination

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics

Biochemistry

In collaboration with fellow clinicians from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the laboratory develops and implements the following methods:

separation methods for protein isolation

electrophoretic methods for protein separation and characterisation

immunochemical methods (e.g. Western blot, ELISA) for the identification of antigens and antibodies

Genomics

The Centre for Genomics carries out scientific research work in the field of neuroendocrinology, behavioural neurobiology and regenerative veterinary medicine. It:

studies the development and function of the brain in model organisms and also uses genetically engineered mice for research. Research is primarily focused on developing gender differences in the brain and other parts of the body, studying the mechanisms of weight regulation, the impact of hormones on the brain, and studying the harmful effects of stress on the brain.

develops new methods of stem cell therapy in the field of regenerative medicine and studies the properties of stem cells

Molecular biology and genetics

Genotyping of the Prion Protein (Prnp) gene in sheep to determine the susceptibility of sheep to scrapie

Determination of animal tissue in raw and processed foods of animal origin

Determination of animal species and identification of animals in forensic specimens

Determining the DNA profile and parentage of horses, dogs, cattle and sheep

Determination of the nucleotide sequence of PCR products

Department of Anatomy, Histology with Embriology and Cytology

Production of anatomical and histological preparations

Production of various types of anatomical (animal skeletons, formalin and corrosive preparations, plastinates) and histological preparations (histological slices, histochemical and immunohistochemical staining).

Morphometric analyses

Carrying out morphometric analyses, their interpretation and working with cell cultures (registered closed system for working with GMOs in the first safety class), as well as producing expert opinions.